Great was the surprise of nearly everybody when, coming on deck the next morning, they discovered that they were again in Narragansett Bay. There were many exclamations and questions, "How did it happen?" "Whose mistake was it that instead of being away out at sea, we are back at our starting-point again?" These and other like queries were propounded to the owner and commander of the yacht.
He pointed, with a good-humoured smile, to a number of war-vessels lying quietly at anchor at no very great distance.
"The squadron is in, you see; and I thought my passengers would not like to miss the sight of its evolutions, so brought them back to view them. There will be time afterward for a pleasant little voyage along the coast, or where you will."
The explanation was entirely satisfactory to every one, and there was great rejoicing among the lads and lasses.
"What is it they're going to do, Papa?" asked Gracie.
"I have not been let into that secret, daughter," he answered; "but we may find out after awhile by keeping a close watch upon their movements."
"Oh, Papa, you can read their signals, and tell us what's coming, can't you? Won't you?" exclaimed Lulu.
"Yes, my child, I can and will," he replied. "But there is the call to breakfast, and you needn't hurry through your meal; for they are not likely, for some hours yet, to begin anything you would want to see."
Encouraged by that assurance, no one cared to make undue haste in eating all that appetite called for of the excellent breakfast presently set before them. But an hour later found them all on deck, young and old keeping a sharp watch on every movement of the vessels composing the squadron, several spy-glasses being constantly turned in their direction.
"Ah!" exclaimed the Captain, at length, while at the same instant Max asked eagerly, "Papa, what is it they are doing there on the 'Wanita'?"